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EUROMILLIONS’ WINNERS SET UP WEIR CHARITABLE TRUST

Chris and Colin Weir, who won £161m on EuroMillions in July 2011, have launched a new charity, The Weir Charitable Trust, endowed with an initial £5m.

The Trust is aimed at supporting individuals, groups and charities, new or established, who are based in Scotland and provide services in Scotland. They are also likely to be finding it difficult to source funds from traditional or mainstream funders.

The Trust will accept applications on a quarterly basis in five main areas – Health, Sport, Culture, Recreational Facilities and Animal Welfare – for projects and activities that improve the quality of life for people wherever they are in Scotland.

The first deadline for applications, which should be made through the Trust’s website at www.weircharitabletrust.com, is 7th March, with awards announced in early April.

Chris and Colin Weir, launching the Trust, said:

“We are delighted that The Weir Charitable Trust is now open for business. Since we won the EuroMillions lottery, it has been a privilege to be in a position to provide support where we could.

“But we have been looking at finding a more structured way to share our good fortune on an ongoing basis across Scotland. It has taken some time to set up, but we are pleased that the Trust will now allow us to do that at a time when good causes in Scotland are struggling.”

Lorraine Tait, Administrator for the Weir Charitable Trust, who will manage it on a day-to-day basis, said:

“On a quarterly basis, we will invite applications in the five main qualifying areas of Health, Sport, Culture, Recreational Facilities and Animal Welfare.

“There is no minimum sum to be applied for – we are more concerned that we reach groups, charities and individuals working hard in their communities, without mainstream support, who want to grow or who need funds to continue with their services. The main restriction is that the Trust will only accept applications from Scottish-based groups or individuals, who will use the money in Scotland.

“The application form can be found on our website at www.weircharitabletrust.com and the closing date for the first round of awards is Thursday, 7th March.”

In addition to Mr and Mrs Weir, there are two other Trustees – Martin McLellan, of Kerr Barrie Solicitors and RBS.

Notes to Editors

For more information, contact Jacqui Low or Lizzy Lambley at Indigo on 0131 554 1230.